The 6 Best Self Balancing Scooters
Updated by · How we research
All six self-balancing scooters are sold as UL 2272 certified. Compared on tested speed, range, tires and load limit, the Gyroor Warrior G2 tops the list. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Since the hoverboard fires of 2015 and 2016, the standard to look for is UL 2272, which covers the whole board's electrical system. A self-balancing scooter, usually called a hoverboard, is a two-wheeled board you ride standing up, leaning to go and twisting your feet to turn. Kids and adults ride them for fun and short trips.
Editor's Notes
October 18, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
First place goes to the Gyroor Warrior G2, the fastest board in ERideHero's group. Almost nothing else from the last version of this list is still sold. The Epikgo Sport, Segway Ninebot S-Plus, Maxfree Smart, Swagtron T6, Swagtron T580, Hover-1 H1 and IotaTrax Scooter are gone, so they came off. We also dropped the Hover-1 Ultra. It's still around in small numbers, but it costs more than better-documented small boards, and its listing doesn't name UL 2272.
The Gyroor Warrior G2 and Hover-1 Titan stay, and both did well in ERideHero's GPS-tracked rides. The Segway Ninebot S2 replaces the S-Plus for anyone who wants a Segway without handlebars, and the Segway Ninebot S2 Kids brings the same idea to younger riders. The Gyroor G13 and SIMATE P6 cover the low end.
Every board here is certified to UL 2272, by its maker's or its listing's account. After the hoverboard fires of 2015 and 2016, that's the one thing we wouldn't bend on. It's also why the list stops at six: the other well-reviewed boards are out of stock or sold only by their makers, and the rest don't name the standard.
April 29, 2021:
Searching for the right self-balancing scooter, or hoverboard, as they are more commonly known, is far easier now that a number of safety issues and initial teething troubles have been addressed. The biggest problem encountered was their susceptibility to short-circuiting and catching fire while charging, and now they undergo strict testing prior to release, in order to meet new stringent safety standards, and many, including the Hover-1 Ultra listed here, are fitted with battery shields to offer an extra layer of protection against combustion.
Other issues that have been addressed include audible alarms that notify the user when the battery is running low. This is to counter problems faced when people are pitched forward, as certain models are known to stop very abruptly following a loss of power. Once the alarm sounds, it is best to stop immediately and carry your scooter to the nearest outlet for charging.
Our latest update includes two new models, starting with the Maxfree Smart, which is similar to the popular Segway Ninebot S-Plus, in that it incorporates a central steering column, that aids stability while making it easier to make precise and tight turns. One way it significantly differs from the Segway is on price, as this is a far more affordable option, which retains many of the same features as its pricier counterpart.
We also liked the aforementioned Hover-1 Ultra, as it is a good all-rounder that has an impressive range, a short charging time of around four hours, and is nippy enough when used on smoother surfaces. It does, however, feature thinner tires, which can wear quicker when supporting heavier loads or when used on rougher terrain. This model also features particularly powerful LED lamps, which make the user more visible to pedestrians and traffic, and also effectively light up the road ahead when used in low light conditions.
March 19, 2020:
For a while now, one of the biggest concerns for most people when buying a self-balancing scooter is the risk of it catching fire during charging. While this used to be a valid concern, these days, most models available in the market, and every one on this list, are all UL certified to ensure they meet all necessary safety standards. That being said, it is still important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding charging times.
When combing through our recommendations on our previous list, we had to eliminate a number of models for various reasons. For example, the Hovertrax 2.0 has numerous complaints of randomly stopping without warning, which can be dangerous, and the MegaWheels Hoverboard tends to suffer from charging issues, even after minimal use.
If you are looking for a model to commute to and from work, the Segway Ninebot S-Plus is probably the best option with its impressive 22-mile range. It also offers a 12.5-mile maximum speed and has large, air-filled tires that easily handle bumps and cracks on the pavement. Though if you are really looking for a commuter option, you may be better off with one of the models on our list of the best long-range scooters even if they aren't self balancing. Getting back to the topic of bumps and cracks, we also included a few models that are well-suited to off-road use, such as the Swagtron T6 and Gyroor Warrior G2, both of which have deep tread, large tires, and the ability to handle steep inclines. While not specifically designed as off-road models, the Epikgo Sport and Hover-1 Titan also perform rather well on a variety of terrains.
When it comes to looks, few models can match the sleek, sporty design of the Gyroor G-F1 2.0, however some units do suffer from longevity issues, so it is worth keeping that in mind. The IotaTrax Scooter is another model that really has a stand-out design. It looks more akin to self-balancing unicycles than a traditional hoverboard. Plus, it weighs a mere 15 pounds and folds up very compactly.
Special Honors
Halo Rover X The Halo Rover X is sold mainly by its maker, Halo Board, rather than through big marketplaces. It's a large all-terrain board with two 400-watt motors, beginner, normal and advanced modes, and a companion app. In ERideHero's GPS testing it reached 9.8 mph and went 6.9 miles on a charge, the longest range of any board in that review, which makes it worth a look for riders who want more distance. haloboard.com
Wheel Size, Tires And Weight Limits
Boards with 8.5-inch solid tires handle grass, gravel and packed dirt and can't go flat, but they pass more vibration to your feet.
Wheel size decides where a board can go. The 6.5-inch boards are light, often 13 to 20 pounds, and best on smooth pavement, driveways and gym floors. Boards with 8.5-inch solid tires handle grass, gravel and packed dirt and can't go flat, but they pass more vibration to your feet. Air-filled 10-inch tires ride the smoothest and need a pump now and then. ERideHero, which rides every board in its review with GPS tracking and a 175-pound rider, rated the 10-inch Hover-1 Titan the most comfortable of its group.
Treat speed and range claims as best cases. In those GPS runs, boards reached 5.9 to 9.9 mph and covered 3.4 to 6.9 miles, usually less than the box says. Lighter riders, flat ground and warm weather stretch range; hills and cold shrink it.
Check the load limit before anything else. It runs from 132 pounds on a kids model to 265 pounds on the bigger boards, and riding over it strains the motors and battery. Nearly every board uses two motors, one in each wheel, so "dual motor" isn't a selling point by itself; total wattage is a better guide to hill power. If a child would rather sit, many 6.5- to 10-inch boards accept a go-kart seat attachment sold separately, so check that the frame and the board's size match.
Hoverboard Or Segway-Style
A hoverboard has no handle at all. You stand with a foot on each half, lean to go and push one foot ahead of the other to turn. Most people learn in a few minutes, but the first rides feel twitchy.
A Segway-style scooter, sometimes sold as a mini Segway, adds a bar that sits between your knees. You still lean to go, but you turn by pressing the bar with your legs, which many beginners find steadier. These models also run larger air tires and much bigger batteries. The Segway Ninebot S2 fits riders from 4 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 6 inches tall and claims a typical range of 21.7 miles, several times what tested hoverboards manage. The trade-offs are price and weight: they cost two to four times as much and weigh more than most boards.
Neither type can go on a plane. The FAA bars lithium batteries over 160 watt-hours from passenger flights entirely (FAA PackSafe), and major U.S. airlines have banned hoverboards since 2015 (Occupational Health & Safety). On the ground, rules vary by state and city. Some places set age or helmet rules or keep boards off sidewalks, and New York City treated them as motor vehicles that couldn't be registered (The Regulatory Review). Check your local ordinances before riding on public paths.
Fire Safety, Falls And Gear
Cheap hoverboards caught fire in large numbers during the 2015 holiday season, which led to UL 2272, a standard for the whole board's electrical system, in early 2016 (Fox News). UL 2271 covers only the battery pack, so look for UL 2272 by name. The risk hasn't gone away: the Consumer Product Safety Commission counted at least 208 micromobility fires from January to November 2022, with 19 deaths, 11 of them tied to hoverboards (CBS News). Recent recalls include Hover-1 Helix boards for fire in 2023 (CPSC) and Jetson Rogue boards after two deaths (CPSC). Charge on a hard floor with the supplied charger, stay nearby and unplug once it's full instead of leaving it overnight.
Falls are the more common injury. One study counted about 26,854 emergency room visits by children for hoverboard injuries in 2015 and 2016 (University Hospitals). UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh advises a bike helmet plus wrist guards and knee and elbow pads. Start in the slowest mode on a lawn or an empty, level lot, and keep the board out of puddles: IPX4 and IP54 ratings resist splashes, not standing water.
How we researched this
We compared about 20 self-balancing scooters and hoverboards, read makers' spec pages and listings, used ERideHero's GPS-tracked speed and range results where they exist, analyzed owner feedback, and checked every brand against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall records. We required UL 2272 certification named by the maker or listing.
Sources (12)
- ERideHero: Best Hoverboards (GPS-tested)
- Segway: Ninebot S2
- Gyroor: G2 Warrior product page
- FAA PackSafe: battery-powered mobility devices
- Fox News: Threat of fire provokes hoverboard recall
- CBS News: E-scooter and hoverboard fires
- CPSC: Hover-1 Helix recall
- CPSC: Jetson Rogue recall
- University Hospitals: Are two-wheeled boards too dangerous for kids?
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh: Hoverboard safety
- Occupational Health & Safety: Airlines ban hoverboards
- The Regulatory Review: Hoverboard regulations
Frequently asked questions
Is a hoverboard the same as a self-balancing scooter?
In the U.S., yes. Self-balancing scooter is the formal name for the two-wheeled board most people call a hoverboard. The term also covers Segway-style models with a knee-height steering bar, but not one-wheeled boards or electric unicycles.
How fast does a self-balancing scooter go?
Most hoverboards top out between about 6 and 10 mph. In ERideHero's GPS tests, boards ran 5.9 to 9.9 mph with a 175-pound rider. Larger Segway-style models claim up to about 11 mph.
How far can a hoverboard go on one charge?
Expect roughly 3 to 7 miles from a typical board. Tested ranges ran from 3.4 to 6.9 miles, usually below makers' claims. Segway-style models with much bigger batteries claim 8 to about 22 miles.
Which self-balancing scooters work for adults?
Look for a load limit of at least 220 pounds, ideally 265, and 8.5- or 10-inch wheels. A Segway-style model with a knee bar suits adults who want steadier steering and a longer range.
Can I take a hoverboard on a plane?
Generally no. Major U.S. airlines have banned them since 2015, and lithium batteries over 160 watt-hours can't go on passenger planes at all under FAA rules.
Are hoverboards legal on sidewalks and streets?
There's no federal ban, but rules vary by state and city. Some set minimum ages or helmet rules or restrict where boards can ride, so check your local ordinances.
